To ascertain whether the firearm used in the murders of Dabholkar, Pansare and Kannada writer MM Kalburgi is the same, the CBI has decided to seek the expertise of Scotland Yard.

The same individuals could be behind the murders of Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare, CBI officials probing the rationalist’s murder case believe after the names of Rudra Patil and Sarang Akolkar cropped up during investigations following the arrest of Sanatan Sanstha activist Virendra Tawade.

According to CBI officials, Patil and Akolkar may have had a direct role in Dabholkar’s killing. The Special Investigation Team probing Panasare’s murder has arrested another Sanatan activist, Sameer Gakwad. SIT officials suspect that Patil is the main suspect behind the killing of the senior CPI leader.

To ascertain whether the firearm used in the murders of Dabholkar, Pansare and Kannada writer MM Kalburgi is the same, the CBI has decided to seek the expertise of Scotland Yard. A forensic laboratory in the state has already confirmed that the bullets fired at Dabholkar and Pansare were from 7.65 mm revolver.

Rudra Patil is a resident of Sangli, while Sarang Akolkar is a resident of Appa Balwant Chowk in Pune. Both are suspects of the 2009 Madgaon blast and are absconding. The two are Sanatan Sanstha members.

Dabholkar, a prominent anti-superstition crusader was killed on August 20, 2013. He was out on a morning stroll when two bike-borne youths in their mid-twenties approached from the rear and fired four bullets at a close range. The case was handed over to the CBI after city police failed to achieve any breakthroughs.

Pansare, a senior CPI leader, was attacked on February 2, 2015 by motorbike-borne assailants. Four days later, the leftist leader succumbed to bullet injuries. Kalburgi, a Kannada writer was gunned down in August 2015 by unidentified persons.